Child safety in the digital environment, the impact of AI on children’s development, and the need to protect minors from emerging technological threats were the key topics at the International Forum of Commissioners for Child’s Rights of Central Asian Countries in Astana. Representatives from China, Japan and Finland also took part in the event, which was held with the support of UNICEF. Participants learned about Kazakhstan’s experience in protecting children’s rights and implementing legislative and institutional reforms initiated by the Head of State. Under the National Fund for Children program, half of the fund’s annual investment income is distributed among children under the age of 18. In addition, a parliamentary group for cooperation with UNICEF has been established to improve child protection legislation. Children’s ombudspersons from Central Asian countries intend to exchange experience and develop joint recommendations on digital safety and inclusion to ensure more effective protection of minors’ rights.
«There are a lot of risks on digital world. And it offers opportunity. What happens today is that we launch the material and all these things, and after we start thinking how we can protect. So, we need to make sure that all AI and all the platform gaming, not only the social platforms, are really making sure that their governance, child privacy, child protection by design is mandatory,» noted Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence Against Children.
«As part of efforts to strengthen the protection of children’s rights, 11 laws have been adopted, an institutional framework has been established, and the Kazakhstan Balalary program has been approved, setting out 158 specific measures. In addition, we have prepared three new draft laws in the Kurultai. They aim to support children with special needs, ensure digital and information security, and develop safe infrastructure for children,» said Dinara Zakiyeva, Kurultai Deputy Chair, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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